An Unusual Foreign Body in the Foot: Traumatic Implantation of a Human Tooth

• Published in: The Journal of foot and ankle surgery Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 225 - 226
• Main Authors: Pogorelić, Zenon, MD, PhD, Biočić, Mihovil, MD, PhD, Bekavac, Josip, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier 01.03.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Foot - surgery; Foreign Bodies - surgery; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Male; Medical sciences; Orthopedics; Tooth; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Violence; Wounds, Penetrating - etiology; Wounds, Penetrating - surgery; trauma; 4; puncture wound; incisor; surgery; Human; Implantation; Wound; Trauma; Foot; Treatment; Surgery; Orthopedics; Foreign body; Tooth; Puncture
• ISSN: 1067-2516; 1542-2224
• DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2010.12.005

Abstract We report the case of a 29-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with persistent swelling and pain in his right foot, initially reported to be related to stepping on something while walking on the beach. When radiographs showed what appeared to be a human tooth embedded in the foot, the patient admitted to having been in a fight, during which he kicked his opponent in the jaw with his foot. The tooth was surgically removed and oral antibiotic therapy was administered for 1 week. The wound eventually healed by secondary intention without complications, and the patient returned to his regular activities 15 days after the operation.